The following is a press release from the National Cherry Blossom Festival dated March 25, 2020:
Washington, D.C. – The National Cherry Blossom Festival announced today the launch of its new virtual Festival experience accessible from the Festival website nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
Festival President and CEO Diana Mayhew said, “This new online experience brings the Festival to you and provides a way to enjoy springtime together, while being apart. The Festival team is rooted in our commitment to honor our traditions. So, the nation’s greatest springtime celebration will continue but it will look different this year thanks to our team and our creative partners at VIVA Creative.”
In addition to activities on the Festival website, fans will find vibrant and colorful videos showcasing performers originally scheduled as part of the 2020 Festival, activities, educational experiences and ways to be with us socially, while staying at a distance, and more.
Here are some highlights of what the Festival team is bringing to you while you are at home.
- We brought the blossoms to you. Over the weekend, the Festival released a visually stunning video of the just-blossoming cherry trees with a tour of the Tidal Basin by a National Park Service park ranger. In the video visitors travel around the tidal basin while hearing about the gift of the trees and the Festival’s longstanding friendship with Japan over the life of the Festival.
- Opening Ceremony (originally scheduled for March 21) is co-presented with the Japan Foundation annually. Performers originally scheduled to perform at this year’s Festival graciously provided entrancing videos capturing the best in Japanese culture through music and song.
- The Blossom Kids page is where children of all ages will find activities that will take them from “Um…” to “Awesome!” Learn how to create Blossom-related memes, Festival-type arts and crafts and a lot more by clicking on the Blossom for Kids section. If you have a fun craft idea share it with us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and we might pick it as a craft of the week!
- The Festival’s online auction traditionally launched during the annual Pink Tie Party is up and running. All proceeds go toward supporting the Festival and its mission and will run through April 12, 2020. Full of local sports events, signed memorabilia, jewelry, health and well-being experiences, and more, the auction is full of fun and creative ways to support the local economy and bring benefits to the communities we serve. The site is updated regularly with new bidding opportunities so check back often!
- See the cherry trees without going to the Tidal Basin. We partnered with the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service to provide #BlossomCam which is live 24/7. While the blossoms may soon flutter away, the trees can still be seen in this panoramic vista as they provide a glorious background to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Jefferson and other memorials.
More videos and fun activities will be added over the next few weeks through April 12, which was the original end date for the 2020 National Cherry Blossom Festival. Festival fans are encouraged to keep checking the site or follow the Festival’s social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). A few activities planned for the coming weeks include:
- A nod to the Blossom Kite Festival which would have taken place on March 28. A demo video, performance videos and additional activities will be online with a push through social media to invite kite fans to show us their best kite skills, from their own yards (kite not included).
- What’s springing in your garden or window sill? Help us grow an online gardening community and send us your best garden photos. Cherry blossoms are not a must, we love all the flowers and trees of spring. 100 entries will be sent a National Cherry Blossom Festival Petal the Garden Gnome.
- Look for the Share Your Festival Memories social media campaign where fans are invited to post photos from past Festivals. Let’s spread some blossom cheer.
- Watching a special presentation of a compilation of past National Cherry Blossom Festival Blossom Parades presented by Events DC is a fun way to spend a few hours while home on April 4 (originally planned 2020 viewing date). We won’t be marching down Constitution Avenue this year, but we will relive it in all is spectacular colors and performances.
About the 2020 National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The 2020 Festival, March 20 – April 12, includes three weeks of virtual and on-line events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. Visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org or check out Facebook (CherryBlossomFestival), Twitter (@CherryBlossFest), and Instagram (@CherryBlossFest).
For more information on this event, view our National Cherry Blossom Festival Page.
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